Would not go quite as far, but I am increasingly disappointed by Top Gear. It's OK if they spend more time on the Singer than on the 991 (let us be honest, there have been tons of -excellent- reviews of the 991) and if they even spent more time on the F-Type last Sunday (let them be proud of a product made in the Commonwealth) BUT I have the impression that there is less and less air time dedicated to actual car reviews or even challenges of competing brands and models. To pick examples from recent series, the whole hovervan thing (fake or not, who cares), the vehicle for the elderly, the two full episodes in Africa etc. are not bad television, but it is getting a bit far from what petrolheads (at least myself) are aspiring to.
This may have been said a couple of times, but Fifth Gear looks more and more like what Top Gear was a few years ago (with less money to spend though) and I mean this in a good way.
This series of Top Gear may have been the one I enjoyed the least. and not because of the poor job on the 991 It has become a show about the adventures of Jeremy, Hamster and Captain Slow, not so much about cars. I like them, but I like cars better...

 

I think BBC forced them to broaden the target audience. Hence more entertainment, less petrolhead stuff.

 

Fifth Gear is definitely lean on the entertainment and heavy on the performance while Top Gear has gone the opposite direction. While I enjoy both, I still prefer Top Gear because of the entertainment factor. What bothers me about Fifth Gear is they are a bit too into track performance versus overall performance, comfort, features, etc. that a car has to offer when they do comparison tests, so they rank cars strictly based on their performance on the track while giving no credit to cars for other factors that go into the buying decision. They are, after all, retired racers so they see street cars mostly from the viewpoint of a race driver.

 

You have hit the nail on the head- and listed all the reasons I think Fifth Gear is worth watching. Top Gear and the Food Channel are tie as means to avoid watching National's meltdowns until the Redskins take over.

 

I truly miss the "olden days" of Top Gear. I always loved the silly adventures, but over the last seasons it seems more, and more staged, rehearsed, etc... Years ago you had more of the spontaneous mishaps, and comedy, now, everything feels scripted to death. Of course it is all staged, but at least they disguised it a little better by making it seem more organic. Now even the laughs seem rehearsed.

It's still fun TV, but over the last 5 seasons the quality is in decline. And Jeremy's played fake distaste for all things Porsche is getting old. Meh.

 

Did anyone happen to notice how the Hamster looked like a large man when standing next to the Lambo Sesto Elemento? That car must be absolutely tiny because Hammond certainly is!

 

I've been saying this for years (on another car forum), everything is very predictable. Everyone of them has a role, it's not as funny as it used to be b/c you know when to laugh. I could almost predict what each one of them is going to say. I no longer look forward to it like I once did. I downloaded the previous season and just started watching it a month ago. I used to wait for it and watched it right after I download it. I watched the previous episode b/c of the 991. For the same reason, I don't watch Top Gear America, it's not about cars, it's about 3 guys silly adventure. I can't wait for Fifth Gear to start, in fact, I just googled them last night and didn't find my answer.

He's not exactly tiny, he claims to be 5'7.5", small for the avg man, you make it seem like he is another prince (5'2"), now that is tiny.

 

I was disappointed as well...and Jeremy's rant...oh please! They didn't do justice to the car of this caliber and fame!!!

 

I think a big part of it is an act...

Rumors are he owns a Cayman...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...iking-car.html

Would make sense in some way though... The Cayman has the engine in the "right" place... LOL

 

Agreed, he's not exactly "tiny" but slight of build and looks smaller than he is when next to Jeremy Clarkson, who is 6'5".

I still get a kick out of Top Gear (UK) but also enjoy Fifth Gear. I can't get enough of Chasing Classic Cars! To me, Wayne Carrini is the Hugh Hefner of car collecting: makes money having fun doing what everyone else wants to do.

 

check this URL
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...iking-car.html

 

Didn't I post that already two posts earlier?

 

Top Gear is entertainment. They'll wait for the 991 GT3 or the 991 GT2 RS or 991 Turbo S to do a longer episode, with more entertainment value....

 

Hope he's not medically effected by his physical condition.

ChuckJ

 

Ok, so it's my turn to rag on Top Gear. I have been watching Top Gear for years. I TiVo every episode...LOVE IT...well...until last night.

The way Jeremy Clarkson talks about Porsche is ridiculous. What is amazing is that he loves so many inferior cars...gives them amazing reviews...can't say enough about them.

Along comes a Porsche and he talks trash about them. Case in point...the Audi R8. He loves them...right? The 991 C4S is every bit as good on a track and I would venture to say a better daily driver. Clarkson would NEVER admit that nor would he every allow anyone on "his" show to admit it.

I do love the humor of the Top Gear and the occasional bashing of Porsche is also ok, but when you have a car company like Porsche that has created an icon and the newest version is absolutely amazing...SHUT YOUR TRAP Clarkson! Clarkson...your pin head views are not appreciated by the many thousands that LOVE Porsche.